Hythe 2-5 DAFC U18s

Hythe 2 – 5 Dover Athletic

Dover, with two players missing from today’s final fixture of the season, defender Dan Groombridge and Right winger Joe Hunnisett.

First half saw Dover, recently crowned league champions, begin the stronger of the two sides, looking to conclude the season in style with their usual high pressing attacking system, as Hythe looked to soak up as much of the pressure as possible, with two banks of 4 players being the ball at all times. However, on 10 minutes Dover broke the dead line with a great piece of attacking play down the left hand side of the pitch combining several players one/two touch into the path of attacking midfielder Ben Cassingena who slotted home the finish to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. Dover, hungry and sensing an early victory carried out wave after wave of attack, with Hythe doing extremely well not to concede further. However, 30 minutes into the game Dover, clearly feeling they had already done enough to secure victory, were shocked when Hythe equalised against the run of play after a sudden long ball from defence left a 1v1 resulting in the Hythe striker rounding the GK, making the score line 1-1. Disaster struck 10 minutes later, after another unforced error, Hythe striker was allowed to turn inside the box, getting a shot off which deflected into the goal making it 2-1 Hythe at half time.

Second half, Dover came out of the blocks with real purpose and desire to finish their season with a win. Some great attacking phases ensued, with some exceptional passages of double digit passing movements from defence/midfield to attack, left Hythe holding on for dear life. Dover begun raining shots off from range, there was no doubt sooner or later the goals were gonna come and when they did you had to feel sorry for a brave Hythe effort. On 60 minutes, league top goal scorer Jack Gealer seized onto a through ball from midfield, powered his way to the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable shot which found the top right hand corner, leaving the Hythe GK no chance. 2-2.

On 65 minutes, some great wide play down the left flank saw winger Alfie Bryant beat his man out wide, dribble into a scoring opportunity with only the GK to beat, he decided to slide the ball across goal to the oncoming Centre midfielder Charlie Corrigan who calmly fired the ball into the net making the score 2-3 Dover. On, 79 minutes a free kick outside the box was driven into the bottom right hand corner from Dover Striker Liam Middleton, not the best technical strike but directed with purpose. The scoring was concluded on 85 minutes when Leagues second highest goal scorer Liam Middleton drove past his defender into the box and fired a low shot past the advancing GK making the end score line 2-5 Dover.

**Managers Comments**

It was important we finished the season on a positive note, after winning league some weeks ago. it is easy for players to lose focus with nothing left to play for, but this was a test of their character, the challenge i set them all was can you be professional regardless of the league table. The first half we started brightly, we switched off half way through the second half, the players know this is unacceptable for them at the standard they are at, i couldn’t wait for the half time whistle to sound, where some choice words were given. second half was back to usual business, there was only ever going to be one winner from 45 minutes onwards, it wasn’t a question of if we would come back but a question of how quickly we could reverse the scoreline.

Some great performances second half and a real team effort, this squad have shown real heart at tough times throughout this season this was another occasion. We go out in style as we came in winning, and winning comfortably.

Man of the Match today goes to Liam Jones for an outstanding performance from start to finish.

We now all move onto greater challenges the future looks bright.

Hard work + Commitment = Reward